"'We've had it happen about four or five times in the last six months,' she said. Hardcastle said District Judges Stewart Bell and Jackie Glass have had to use duct tape for defendants who simply wouldn't keep quiet despite repeated orders."

"We are legally allowed to pledge consolidated taxes for long-term debt."

"It should be illegal for governments to redirect revenue that has been allocated by voters for other, specific purposes."

Executive Director's Report And Recommendation

Panel Determination

Opinion No. 04-05

"'I don't think this is the place or venue to discuss that,' Augustine said multiple times to repeated questions from the group on her ethics conviction."

Clark County Sheriff's Race

"For the first time in recent memory, the county has eschewed political consultants and back-room talks to redraw its commission district boundaries and involved the public."

"Prosecutors said Herrera not only accepted cash bribes from strip club owner Michael Galardi but welcomed oral sex for votes favorable to Galardi's businesses."

"We've stated here before that Ms. Deane could retain a sliver of dignity by resigning. The current investigation notwithstanding, she simply isn't fit for public office, even one as anonymous as recorder."

"The meeting showed a lingering uneasiness many residents in older parts of the city have about their local government."

"The work will be the final step in actually zoning the valley according to its master plan and zoning ordinance."

"Builders, developers, their planning consultants, trade unions and the real estate industry donated more than $580,000 to the political campaigns of the 10 members of the Regional Planning Governing Board for their current office or upcoming campaigns, according to an analysis of their expense reports."

"A complaint filed in federal court in Reno alleges Anne-Louise Bennett had to retire in 2004 after being subjected to "retaliatory hostility" from TMCC President Philip Ringle after she refused an invitation to have dinner with him and join him in his hot tub while his wife was out of town."

"'It still feels like the status quo,' said Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert, R-Reno. 'Are we really fixing anything?'"

__________

"Nevada gets back only 73 cents in federal spending in the state for every dollar that its citizens pay in federal income taxes, a Tax Foundation study released today shows. The return ties the state for fifth lowest in the nation, trailing only much higher-income states such as New Jersey, Connecticut and Minnesota. The rankings are for the 2004 tax year."

Congressional District 2

"Just how angry was Gov. Kenny Guinn on March 10, when appointed Attorney General George Chanos called to say he wasn't going to run for the job in November after all?"

"What has not been made public before is that Chanos solicited a $10,000 campaign donation from Walters and his companies just a week before announcing the investigation. Weird or what? The donation was sought even after several nasty news stories about the Walters land deal had surfaced, and according to sources close to Walters, Chanos kept the 10 grand for a couple of weeks after the investigation began. What's more, Chanos also accepted and cashed a $3,000 check from the San Francisco law firm hired to handle the Walters' probe on behalf of the AG. (The money was later returned.)"

Stipulation Of Kathy Augustine Before The Nevada Commission On Ethics (Nevada Ethics Commission website)

Votes on Impeachment Charges (Nevada Legislature website)

Koller v. State

Las Vegas Police Prot. Ass’n v. Dist. Ct.

Ledbetter v. State

Mendoza v. State

Avery v. State

Silvar v. Dist. Ct.

Barnhart v. State

Matter of Guardianship of N.S.

County Population Estimates: July 1 2005

"Mayor Oscar Goodman acknowledged Thursday that political donors have told him they are holding back contributing to U.S. Senate campaigns as he considers his own run for the office."

"In my opinion, conservatives in Nevada are fed up with short sighted answers and a lack of genuine honesty in today’s government. Mistakes are made, but when they are we expect to hear it exactly as it happens and directly from the mouth of those involved. Instead we are subjected to twisted quotes and distorted stories portrayed by those with a special interest of making money or furthering a political agenda."

"The scene was sordid and sleazy."

"Strip club owner Michael Galardi delivered monthly cash payments to then-Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera totaling $200,000 over three years, federal prosecutors told jurors Thursday."

"Locals know too well that back-room deals and partisan juice have smeared Clark County's political landscape from top to bottom. That's why it was refreshing to see so much previously secretive behavior recently revealed in an open courtroom."

"Las Vegas Justice Court officials say that thousands of traffic tickets issued in unincorporated Clark County are often processed so slowly that the citations do not even exist in court records when motorists try to pay them."

"'The public feels left out,' said Susan Lynn, a conservationist. 'The public feels it needs to understand the impacts this will have on them and they don't. This has been a top-down process.'"

"'No matter what we do, we live in a desert,' Johnson said, 'and that has to be first and foremost when we talk about conservation.'"

Federal Nevada

"But if the $30,000 in a velvet bag pulled out of the trunk of a car and handed to Herrera was just a loan and not a bribe, why didn't he declare it? After all, according to Bernstein, it was 'a small loan from a friend.'"

"Pahrump has become nothing more than a miniature version of Las Vegas - an ugly place where nobody has time for manners, where "neighbors" make you feel like a fool by refusing to return your wave and where it's every person for him or her self."

"The land owned by the Clark County Department of Aviation is crisscrossed by a wide variety of fissures, all of them the result of groundwater pumping in the area over the past 60 years that has lowered the water table and caused fine-grain sediments in the soil to dry out and contract."

"Corruption, literal or otherwise, is not a partisan problem in this state or most others. It's a human nature problem and a systemic problem - people are inherently weak and the system is inherently corrupting."

"Nevada's politics would embarrass any self-respecting banana republic, and the news this past week only confirms what we all know: the many fine people in Nevada politics hide a wide and shameless category who use elected office to feather their own nests."

"Galardi doesn't have to be perfect, just believable. He has to be able to describe the sewer in which he became a multimillionaire and so easily corrupted public officials. He has to reasonably explain that a day came when those public officials began demanding too much cash and threatening him with political consequences if he didn't come through."

"Not going to talk about Bill Walters. Wouldn't be prudent."

"Unlike California, Washington and other states, Nevada law provides an easy way for campaign contributors to hide behind a wall of anonymity. Just about anyone can funnel money into Nevada campaigns, with the public left in the dark."

"Heller's announcement on Thursday appeared to be an effort to deflect part of the blame for the bungled Covansys system onto county elections officials, whom, he said, agreed with the choice of hiring Covansys. His message would have been much stronger had he announced he was going to take charge and hold the company's feet to the fire or, better yet, cut ties with them and start over."

"In a well-received speech, Beers highlighted his Tax and Spending Control, or TASC, constitutional amendment initiative as a way to reign in government. The state senator appeared to have the most delegates sporting stickers out of the gubernatorial candidates."

"It is hard to understand officials' hostility to the report and its recommendations for more objective guidelines for making parole decisions and a risk-based study that could help the director and his staff to assess the system for themselves. They will never know how successful the system can be if they refuse to consider possible remedies."

"Whatever happens, the controversy is a good example of the damage that the current system of campaign financing does to our political fabric, from Washington, D.C., to cities and towns throughout the country. It has made the public cynical about the process and their role in it, and it has caused them to question every decision. Until we change the system, good government will continue to suffer."

"Instead of being auctioned off by the Bureau of Land Management for private development, two pieces of land would be sold to the city at a cut-rate price. The city then would sell the land at-cost to a private nonprofit group from Phoenix, which would build apartments without any government subsidy other than the inexpensive land."

"While the city looks at different revenue sources to provide funding for these services, it will never be an option to tap into funds legally set aside for other purposes via voter referendum or other legal parameters."

"According to reliable sources, gambling Web sites raked in between $12 and $15 billion last year, with about 60 percent of the total take coming from the U.S. although all of the Web sites are based overseas – many of them on small Caribbean islands, well out of reach of U.S. law enforcement – because Internet gaming is illegal under federal law."

"The system benefits those in office. Can we really expect them to cut off their own perks -- perks, such as valuable gifts, that would get most of us fired from our jobs? But the Abramoff scandal isn't over yet. When the next indictments come, their constituents are going to want to know what Congress is doing about it. Voters should remember it at election time this year if the answer is, 'Nothing.'"

"Despite repeated calls for reform by Secretary of State Dean Heller, and despite receiving "F's" from national groups that grade Nevada's political disclosure practices, the Legislature has refused to close all the loopholes, as its members directly benefit from them."

"To be fair, it should be noted that franked mail is a fairly common occurrence in Congress and those who partake in it are often accused of campaigning on the taxpayer's dime."

"That Chanos did not seem to possess persistence, or the ability to compromise, makes his effectiveness in politics questionable. If politics is becoming as partisan and personal as he claims, then the people we need to elect are those who can put aside the posturing and personal attacks and speak from the heart toward one goal - working for the interests of Nevadans."

"We're fighting for an alternative to sprawl," said Bob Fulkerson, PLAN executive director. "We're fighting to protect what quality of life exists in our region. We're fighting for people who live here, who want water to drink and clean air to breathe."

"The default setting must be that the Constitution means what it says: The government must produce actual accusers, whom defendants then have a right to confront and cross-examine."

"When those heavy doors closed, a little bit of Reno disappeared."

Assembly District 26

Second Judicial District (Washoe)

Silver State Alliance

"District Court judges undoubtedly juggle very challenging calendars, but that is no excuse for making the types of errors detailed by the Supreme Court. These judges need to read more carefully the paperwork they submit."

Combination Of Circumstances Handicap Vital Agency

Nevada's Low Parole Rate

A Price To Pay For A Dream Come True: Punching Out A Supervisor

"If you care what Carson City, and all of Northern Nevada, will look like in the coming decades, this is no time to sit on your hands."

"Do the math. The population is forecast to increase by 2,540 while the number of houses is increasing by nearly twice that amount."

"Almost half the Legends Marina project, $223 million, would be built using public funds, including redevelopment dollars, sales taxes and rental car taxes to help build a minor-league baseball stadium."

"The Carson City School District is planning to ask voters this fall to approve $25 million in school improvements without an increase in taxes."

"Those tumbling creeks and glistening alpine lakes might look pristine, but appearances conceal a worsening pollution problem tainting Sierra waters, according to a report released today by an environmental group."

Tax And Spending Control (TASC)

"When some of the best people stay out, guess who comes in?"

"Three master plan amendments came before the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission last week that provide illumination - mind sketches, if you will - of Pahrump's various planning approaches. They illustrate why the Pahrump community is fractured, behind the eight ball for public amenities, and growing farther behind when it comes to essential commercial development needed to afford critical infrastructure."

"Council members were concerned they didn't know how the money would be spent and that the increase hadn't been justified to the general public."

Privacy Rights

Gibbons Blasts IRS Proposal to Allow Sale of Tax Returns to Private Data Brokers (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)

Fighting Words

Reid criticizes President Bush as 'dangerously incompetent' (Nevada AP article)

__________

Hispanic Nevada

Up 44.3 Percent Growth In Nevada

Hispanic Owned Firms 2002 (US Census Bureau website - pdf format)

Hispanic-owned businesses increasing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Pupfish In Peril

Endangered pupfish critical, on life support (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Dirty Water Report

State of Sierra Waters: A Sierra Nevada Watersheds Index (Sierra Nevada Alliance website - pdf format)

Related Story

Report: Sierra rivers and streams more polluted than they look (Nevada AP article)

Cooperative Settlement

Mining company, Nevada ranch reduce grazing in deal with enviros (Nevada AP article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Curse Of The Petroglyph

Man cleared of Nevada petroglyph theft says 'my life was trashed' (Nevada AP article)

==========================================

March 23, 2006

[11:20 AM -- Lots of news today]

_____

Nevada Politics

Disagreements Over Patronage Leads To Parting Of The Ways

JANE ANN MORRISON: Falling-out leaves Guinn steaming, Rogich scheming to pull more strings (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

2006 US Senate Race

Ensign opens campaign for re-election (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

ERIN NEFF: Despite GOP travails, Ensign looks good (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Ensign vows to support troops in Iraq as he launches bid for a second term (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

2006 Legislative Races

Assembly District 27

"Kenny, another former commissioner who admitted taking money from Galardi, was upset in July of 2001 that Herrera wouldn't help Galardi overcome licensing issues for Jaguars, and said in various wiretaps: 'That prick. He is a son of a (expletive). I'm so pissed off at him right now, I'm going to (expletive) him in the worst way.'"

"It could be worse, like in Richmond, Va., where a member of the state senate has proposed castration as an option for treating sexual offenders and the death penalty for juveniles convicted of murder."

"A new audit paints a picture of a Reno Fire Department without leadership and vision that spends too much money on overtime, has little accountability controls for its employees, needs reorganization and responds to emergencies slower than national guidelines."

Press Release

Executive Summary

"'This creates a vicious cycle, and physicians are in no position to work a deal. It is illegal for us to collectively bargain. It will take federal legislation to change that,'' said Manthei, who plans to no longer accept Blue Cross."

"Make no mistake -- 'little government subsidies' are a lot like being 'a little bit pregnant.' They lead to bigger things."

"It was over, and they had pulled it off. A federal agency had come to Nevada and held a public hearing that satisfied legal requirements without ever telling anyone in the state the purpose of the hearing--to take public comment on a plan to dump thousands of tons of lethal mercury in Nevada."

"U.S. Forest Service officials and Elko County Commissioners are stressing that wilderness areas are off limits to motorized activities."

What The People Must Do About It

"Remember, for all the fancy legal terms, medical analogies, and judgments we may pass, in the end, it all comes down to one simple thing. Public office is a public trust, to be exercised for the benefit of the public. And anybody who violates that has earned but one title, which should follow them for life: Asshole."

"'Suddenly after 16 years of inactivity, Sen. Titus now, as a candidate for governor, has taken an interest in ethics with a list of proposals that are dictated by politics rather than good policy,' Gibson said, noting that the senator did not back one of the ethics reform packages introduced in the last legislative session.'"

"Impact fees don't prevent developers from being economically viable, they make sure that people have basic services, and they prevent many of the bad side effects of sprawling growth. Sprawl gives us inefficient land use, loss of open space, loss of a sense of community, bad traffic, longer drives to work, and worsening air pollution. Without impact fees to cover the cost of services, we are in effect giving a huge tax subsidy to developers and inefficiently using our land."

"An already belated review of the new Shorezone plan will be officially postponed for at least another month today as Tahoe Regional Planning Agency staff have requested additional time to clarify and codify the ordinances that will enforce the first lake development and use rules in more than two decades."

"Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's governing board today will get a review of recent work done in the Pathway 2007 process as four local agencies work together to create a basin-wide plan for the next 20 years."

"Tahoe Regional Planning Agency executive director John Singlaub this week expressed distaste for the fact that a 3.5-acre parcel of lakefront property in Crystal Bay will not be acquired using federal funding."

"Online sports betting sites aren't just flourishing in the rest of the country, where sports books are illegal everywhere except Nevada. Internet sites have found a hot spot in Nevada and especially in Las Vegas, home to one of the biggest concentration of gamblers and a place where bettors come from all over the world to hone their skills."

The Proposal

More Coverage And Reaction

"'You can't be getting money the same time you're casting votes...that's pay-to-play,' she said."

"Of cheap Beers, amazing brazenness, surprising appearances and a gubernatorial tussle"

Education and Investment, Not TABOR, Fueled Colorado's Economic Growth in 1990s

A Faulty Fix: Repairing the "Ratchet" Will Not Repair TABOR

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

"Seeking part-time instructors for Nevada community colleges and universities. No job security. No medical benefits. No office of your own. Earn half of what others get for similar work."

"The nation's fifth-largest largest school district typically pleads for additional funding, arguing it already does more with less than can reasonably be expected. Opponents question why, with more than half of Nevada's budget already committed to K-12 education, the academic performance of Clark County's students remains lackluster."

"The default setting is not that government agents should be able to enter our homes except when the stars align just right, but rather that, 'The right of the people to be secure in their homes, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.'"

"Federal agencies are steering unclassified government documents into categories that, while not labeling them as classified, still prevent them from being readily available to the public."

"On Tuesday, the Washington-based lobbying group Public Citizen sued to block the law on the grounds that the House and Senate passed significantly different bills."

"President George W. Bush amended Article 134 of the UCMJ by Executive Order 12473 last October."

Titus-Gibbons Debate

"'Either get on board and clean it up, or let's have politics as usual, same good ol' boy, same special favors,' she said."

"Titus has been in the state Senate since 1989. In the coming months of the Democratic primary, we've got to believe that Gibson's campaign can come up with something on her that's better than the fluff he put out Friday. He must be saving his best cheap shots for later."

"We at Various Things & Stuff still think that Gibson's quote — in which he said he's never going to put himself in a position where things he really believes would be at odds with what he'd enact as governor — has implications beyond abortion. What are those things that he really believes? And should they form the basis of a government?"

"Ethics bills authored in the aftermath of Controller Kathy Augustine's abuse of her office are being wheeled into the morgue, otherwise known as the Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Committee. This land of legislative toe tags is carefully tended by committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, and Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, the vice chairman, a man who historically leaves no fingerprints as he slits the throats of ethics bills."

"The state of Nevada's piggy bank - the cash set aside for unexpected costs between Legislatures - is nearly gone after less than half the two-year budget cycle."

"Welfare or social services agencies could be subject to penalties if they breach confidentiality requirements under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, according to an opinion by Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Pyzel."

"The Department of Information Technology's chief of security is on administrative leave pending an investigation of a trip he took on state business to Denver, Colo."

"Although the county's district boundaries were redrawn to balance populations in 2001, the region's explosive growth has thrown commissioners' constituencies completely out of whack in just a few years."

"Sales tax revenues did not quite meet expectations last year, just one of the reasons county officials are scrambling to balance the 2006-07 budget, according to County Manager Dan Holler."

"The young speakers, who had all abused methamphetamine, alcohol, cocaine and other drugs, freely volunteered advice to parents on how to detect the warning signs of a child slipping into a life of abuse. Unfortunately, no parents were there to hear it."

Lyon County

Rural counties outstrip Clark County's growth: How It Works In Fernley (Nevada AP article)

Nye County

County Government Affairs

Interim county manager, comptroller could be named at Monday meeting (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Pahrump Town

Full Agenda

Meeting Tuesday; economic board could be re-established (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Get Ready

Utility goes with the flow: Wastewater Plant Almost Open For Business (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The Mysterious Case Of The Ballarat Bandit

A look inside the life of the 'Bandit' (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Storey County

The Hole In The Highway

Repairs to Six Mile Canyon Road to begin once funds secured (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

To Dig And Drill

County modifies wilderness area recommendations to allow oil and gas exploration (Ely Times article)

Dodging The Open Meeting Law

Editorial: Mayor casts a proper vote (Ely Times editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Nye County School District

Nye School district saves money (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nye county schools are tech-savvy (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Sierra Waters Study Questioned

Scientists question claim of dangerous levels of mercury in Lake Tahoe (Nevada Appeal* article)

Negotiating With The Water Moloch

County may make deal for Spring Valley water (Ely Times article)

The Wells Of Carson

Two wells exceed EPA uranium standards: No emergency, using bottled water won't be necessary (Nevada Appeal* article)

Uranium found in two Carson wells (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

New York Mafia Cops Trial

Mob-police case could end quickly (Associated Press article)

Brothel Touting

Brothel ads will level out the playing field (Pahrump Valley Times editorial)

__________

Native Nevadans

No agreement for Shoshone land transfer: White Pine County and the Ely Shoshone Tribe cannot agree on land issues (Ely Times article)

Duckwater tribe, agencies to protect Railroad Valley springfish (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Mining

Quadra calls Robinson's 2005 operation ‘robust' (Ely Times article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca probe forwarded: Federal prosecutors reviewing evidence (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Nevada calls for results of probes into Yucca Mountain e-mails (Nevada AP article)

Quittin' time for Yucca Johnny: Web site for children promoting Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste dump misses the mark (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal Land Sales

Norton puts Nevada on notice: Outgoing interior secretary remains critical of state's hold on land-sale dollars (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Patriot Act

President Signs Law But Says He Won't Be Bound By It

Who Does Bush Think He Is? Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement (Featheriver column, Nye Blog)

Congressional Intelligence Oversight Investigations

Reid response on Feingold Resolution (Desert Beacon Blog)

The Poorly Paid Soldiers Of The United States

How to support the troops? Pay them (Desert Beacon Blog)

Endangered Species Act Reform

Bearing down on wildlife: Scientists say U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials should hold off on removing the grizzly from protection offered under the Endangered Species Act (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada's Past

At the Throttle: A British view of the NNRy Museum (Ely Times column)

==========================================

March 26, 2006

[11:45 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Governor's Race

Titus-Gibson Debate

Tell Us Again About Nevada's $10,000 Campaign Contribution Limit

Democratic candidates go head to head: Gibson, Titus try to put best foot forward early on (Las Vegas Sun article)

NRS 294A.100 Limit on amount that may be contributed to or accepted by candidate; penalty.

Beers Everywhere

ERIN NEFF: Beers steps forward at gubernatorial candidate forum (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Senator Beers stops through Incline on the campaign trail (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza* article)

2006 Congressional Races

Congressional District 2

Gibbons campaigns for Congress during stop at senior center (Lahontan Valley News* article)

Derby calls for repeal of new Medicare Taxes (Nevada Appeal* article)

Is There Something Wrong With Our System?

The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity. -- William Butler Yeats

Jon Ralston laments the state of state politics, where the best of legislators all want to get out while all the worst do everything they can to stay in (Las Vegas Sun column)

Seale’s Exit, Stage Right (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

A Matter Of Credibility

Galardi dishes up dirt on club rival: Rizzolo fingered in secret FBI reports (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Government

Some Current Issues In Government

Street Violence

Gangs

JOHN L. SMITH: Single mother's best not enough to keep son safe from gang violence (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

May You Live In Interesting Times

 What to do when you’re attacked! (Elko Free Press article)

Government Subsidies For Favored Corporations

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Park plan could be major-league boondoggle (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Major-league pitch a gamble for Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)

Father Knows Best Government: Transforming "The Right To Vote" Into "The Right To Comment" 

Get beyond the turf war (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Officials' Conflicts Of Interest

SHERMAN FREDERICK: Stomach says: good attorney, bad councilman (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Freedom Of Commercial Speech

THOMAS MITCHELL: Hypocrisy and brothel advertising (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Jeff Simpson on why mobile billboards are worse than an eyesore (Las Vegas Sun column)

State Government

Nevada's Highways Of Death

Special report: State of emergency on Nevada's rural highways (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Deadliest roads in rural Nevada: Driver fatigue, inattention key in freeway accidents (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

65 minutes from crash to hospital: Nevada's rural response times are worst in U.S. (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Aging, worn equipment makes hard job just that much harder (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Risk of Dying Along Nevada's Highways (Featheriver column, Nye Blog)

Nevada Development Authority

Everything 'businesses need to thrive': Nevada tries to capitalize on California's regulatory excess (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Government Appointments

Sparks Councilwoman Judy Moss (Sparks Tribune article via Battle Born News)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Speak Up

Public gets final chance to comment on master plan (Nevada Appeal* article)

Pack 'Em In -- The Developing Trend

This year's trend: dense office and residential space (Nevada Appeal* article)

Clark County

A Tourist In Babylon

Hal Rothman on why, in a city that is all things to all people, the slogan could just as easily be 'I'm OK, you're OK' instead of 'What happens here, stays here': A little Vegas in everyone (Las Vegas Sun column)

Elko County

City Of Elko

City begins work on budget (Elko Free Press article)

City Of Wells

Special use permits denied by Wells panel (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

New Planning Director hired (Nancy Dallas column, NewsDesk website)

Washoe County

Acquiring Public Lands

IVGID to decide on Incline Lake (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Denio property back in spotlight (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Board renews superintendent's contract (Lahontan Valley News* article)

Washoe County School District

Showing parents how to learn (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Is there Mercury in the lake? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Who wins grazing war? (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Hispanic Nevada

A Hard-Working, Family-Oriented Community

Banking on Hispanics (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Impact of Latino community's growth, income seen nationwide (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Problem: Immigration Reform

Hundreds protest in Reno (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Problems In Contemporary Government: Overregulation

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: The charter for unlimited government (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

The Right To Privacy

It's Saturday Morning -- Who's paying how much for your personal data? (Desert Beacon Blog)

National Defense

Nuclear testing (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Just In Time For Easter

Ivan Kramskoy, Christ in the Wilderness (1872)

Americans, especially Catholics, approve of torture (National Catholic Reporter article)

The War In Iraq

Richard Disney Debates an Anti War Protest Leader (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)

U.S. cannot solve Iraq political strife (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)

Those against war should look at history (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

President's view of war shared by fewer people (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Rethinking role of the National Guard (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Federal Lands

Telling it on the mountain: U.S. Forest Service seeks to improve visitors' experiences and sustain conservation by turning a failed golf resort into an interpretive center at Mount Charleston (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Vanishing Nevada

For Whom The Belle Tolls

Farewell to the Liberty Belle (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)

RSCVA bids for Liberty Belle property (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Curse Of The Petroglyph

Fate of Peavine petroglyphs to be decided (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

==========================================

March 27, 2006

[9:55 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance And Ethics Laws

Save Yourself Some Tax Dollars By Ending Corrupt Practices

The "Brains" -- Thomas Nast cartoon [click on image to enlarge]

Dina Titus and ethics (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

2006 Congressional Races

Predatory Lending Law Reform: A Good Question For Voters To Ask Congressional Candidates

Question for Porter: 1295 or 1182? (Desert Beacon Blog)

Related Story

Henderson adopts rules tightening restrictions on payday loan centers (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

2006 Voting

"That's What's The Matter" -- Thomas Nast cartoon [click on image to enlarge]

Political Notebook: Author argues elections bigger gamble than slots -- In Nevada, paper trail backs up electronic voting equipment (Molly Ball column, Las Vegas Review-Journal*)

Political Miscellany

Spring, a season of budding politicians (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)

__________

Nevada Government

Local Government

Yet Another Abusive Local Government Practice: Franchise Fee Hikes

Carson City’s Franchise Fee Disease Moves North (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)

Adding A Middleman: Lobbyists And Local Governments

TWO-PERSON OFFICE: Lobbying firm slips into D.C -- R&R Partners taking low-key approach (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Washoe County

City Of Reno Ponders Whether To Be A Trailblazer

Open space plan goes to public: Draft documents vision for protection, connection (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Law Enforcement

Taking The Initiative

Potluck dinner planned as forum to discuss meth (Nevada Appeal* article)

The Wrong Kind Of Self-Help

JANE ANN MORRISON: Lawyer checking whether firefighters routinely cash in on charity work (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

New York "Mafia Cops" Trial

Case offers Hollywood moments: 'Mafia cops' trial features theatrics (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Education

Churchill County School District

School district devising tutoring program for low-income students (Lahontan Valley News* article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

State Water Moloch Goes To Church, And Brings An Offering

Church cashes in on water: $7.2 million leases Muddy River rights (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Nevada Living

Swathe Of The Reaper

Experts grappling with high suicide rate: Causes, cures for Nevada's disturbing trend sought (Las Vegas Sun article)

Self-Reliant Citizens

Homeowners use elbow grease to protect against wildfires (Nevada Appeal* article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Wired up for Yucca hearing (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Campaign Finance Reform

New FEC Rules Would Regulate Paid Web Ads (Associated Press article)

Related US Supreme Court Case

House Of Representatives Only Working 97 Days This Year

Our 'do-nothing Congress': GOP-controlled House on a pace to be in session this year for fewest days since 1948 (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Patriot Act

Patriot Act's fast-tracking of death penalty cases draws criticism (Las Vegas Sun article)

Environment Matters

Greens scramble to buy -- and log -- forests: A free-market solution returns timberland to tax rolls (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Immigration Reform

Keep that dream alive (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Gaming interests focus on Pennsylvania as expansion stalls elsewhere (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Vanishing Nevada

You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone

Landmark Douglas County saloon destroyed by fire (Nevada AP article)

Fire destroys Centerville's Valley Bar: Historic structure hauled from Virginia City by oxen in the 1930s (Nevada Appeal* article)

__________

Nevada's Past

That Old Church

Sides evoke Twain in flap over church: Author raised money to help complete construction (Nevada AP article)

==========================================

Update For March 27, 2006

[6:25 PM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Governor's Race

Ethics And Campaign Finance Reform

Gibson vs. Titus, Part One (Vegas Pundit website)

Rep. Gibbons' Centrist Position Scored From Right And Left

Maximum Rage Over Minimum Wage (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)

Gibbons Campaign & the Funniest Line of the Morning (Desert Beacon Blog)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

Juror Excused; New Tapes Played

G-Sting: Judge Releases Juror (KLAS-TV report)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Dangerous Highways

State of emergency on Nevada's rural highways (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Responders left stranded: Help from state hard to come by for isolated ambulance crews (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State tracks response times, but it fails to analyze the data (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Low Unemployment

State Continues To Post Most Enviable Job Growth In America (Gov. Guinn Press Release)

Nevada unemployment rate up slightly, still only 3.8 percent (Nevada AP article)

Nevada unemployment rate dips in Feb. (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Group: Nevada EPA Oversight Lax

Big Springs-- Help Protect The North Fork Of The Humboldt River (Great Basin Mine Watch Press Release)

Panel reviews agency decision on old Nevada mine (Nevada AP article)

Former State Correctional Officer Convicted

Kastner Sentenced To Probation For Aiding Escaped Inmate (Attorney General Press Release)

Former Nevada prison employee gets probation in escape case (Nevada AP article)

Judicial Nominees Go To Governor

Three lawyers recommended for vacant judgeship in northern Nevada (Nevada AP article)

Local Government

Elko County

West Wendover court clerk arrested for embezzlement (Nevada AP article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Immigration Reform Bill In Congress

Carson students join national protest: Hundreds walk out of classes in march to Capitol (Nevada Appeal* article)

Hispanic students protest in Reno, Carson (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

We Need Immigration Reform (Richard Disney column, Battle Born News)

Got fear? (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)

==========================================

March 28, 2006

[10:30 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Congressional Races

Congressional District 2

Columnist's Controversial Comments Misfire In Fallon

Despite attack, Gibbons may have the last laugh (Rick Swart column, Lahontan Valley News*)

The Event

Awards, political commentary highlight chamber banquet (Lahontan Valley News* article)

Incident Casts Most Recent (And Thought-Provoking) Column In Ironic Light

Jon Ralston laments the state of state politics, where the best of legislators all want to get out while all the worst do everything they can to stay in (Las Vegas Sun column)

2006 Governor's Race

GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS: Republican candidates given tips -- Group's leader tells three to stick to fiscal conservatism (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Republican candidates for governor disavow Guinn tax increase (Nevada AP article)

Gibbons v Guinn continues (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions

The Anti-Smoking Acts

ERIN NEFF: Thank you for smoking (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

Captured Conversations

Phone calls reveal efforts over strip club proposals (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

A Question Of Credibility

JOHN L. SMITH: Disentangling the provable Galardi allegations proves to be monumental (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Ethics Proceedings

Ethics panel throws out accusations: Henderson constable, former police chief cleared of wrongdoing (Las Vegas Sun article)

Why?: The Mystery Of Suicide

High suicide rate targeted: Statewide prevention plan implemented (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Investigation Of Claimed State Inaction In Elko County Gold Mine Pollution Case

Gold mine pollution hearing scheduled: Board to hear claims from watchdog group (Nevada AP article)

Local Government

Churchill County

Forum on Hazen project spurs discussion, debate (Lahontan Valley News* article)

Clark County

Let The Cost Overruns Begin

 FREEDOM PARK RENOVATION: Big price tag for Big League -- Sports complex city plans to build looks to cost 40 percent more than prior estimate (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Too Fast To Blast, Dusty

Fines loom over dust from blasts (Las Vegas Sun article)

May Step Down

EOB chief considering resigning post: Murray says deal made to fill new position (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Lyon County

Anti-Meth Meetings

Area communities hold meth meetings (Nevada Appeal* article)

Storey County

A Hole In The Highway

Storey officials hoping for June reopening of Six Mile (Nevada Appeal* article)

Washoe County

Water Speculators Seek Suction Plan OK

Aqua Trac seeks approval to pump water east of Pyramid Lake (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

A Little Late: Washoe Public Wasn't Part Of Secret Land Grab Planning Sessions

A chance to be involved (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Rulffes' plan aims to improve underperforming schools (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Law Enforcement

State Supreme Court Upholds Some Counts, Dismisses Others In Hells Angels v. Mongols Affray

The Decision

Court junks indictment in Laughlin riot: Attorneys unsure of ruling's effect on motorcycle gang case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Court: Indictment against bikers flawed (Nevada Appeal* article)

Not So Funny Papers

Charges of stealing comic books against IRS agent dismissed (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Scientists tout technology, research -- Waste repository project might use advances (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Feds continue to bully Nevada over Yucca (Nevada Appeal* editorial)

Immigration Reform

Protests

Hundreds of students march to protest immigration bills: Youths walk out of classes in Reno and Carson City (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Carson students join nationwide protest of immigration reform (Nevada Appeal* article)

Student protesters need permission slips: Absence for immigration protest OK with a note from parents (Nevada Appeal* article)

Positions

Immigration a touchy subject: GOP candidates give views on issue (Las Vegas Sun article)

Illegal immigration debate -- What bill will emerge from a fractured Congress? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

A Near Thing

TOO CLOSE TO HOME: Air Force to probe flare drop -- Explosives landed about 50 feet from woman in 2004 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) Colloquy

Ensign, Bush, and the Problems with CAFTA (Desert Beacon Blog)

__________

Vanishing Nevada

Owner hopes historic saloon damaged by fire gets rebuilt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

==========================================

Update for March 28, 2006

[10:20 PM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Governor's Race

Titus-Gibson Debates Part 2 Now Available Online

Titus-Gibson, Part 2 (Vegas Pundit website)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Appeal rejected in Las Vegas fight-fixing case (Nevada AP article)

__________

Law Enforcement

New York "Mafia Cops" Trial

Witness describes digging grave of alleged victim of 'Mafia Cops' (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

New law may hamper Nevada mining watchdog group (Nevada AP article)

Local Government

Washoe County

Water Speculators Want A Favor From Washoe: Approve Our Suction Scheme

Company wants Washoe County to drop water protest (Nevada AP article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Pro-Yucca group presses for legislative fix to move dump forward (Nevada AP article)

Feds dump Bechtel for Nevada Test Site management contract (Nevada AP article)

Immigration Reform

Reid Statement on Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Las Vegas high school students protest immigration reform (Nevada AP article)

In Defense of the Law (Terresa Monroe-Hamilton column, Battle Born News)

FEC Proposed Internet Regulations

Proposed Regulations (Lead courtesy of Sailor in the Desert Blog)

From The US Congress

Ensign, Reid Announce Grants To Improve Reno-Tahoe International Airport (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Ensign Releases Hold On Coast Guard Nominee Thad Allen (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

==========================================

March 29, 2006

[10:10 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions

Tax And Spending Control (TASC)

Who favors unlimited government growth? 'Investing in the public sector' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Jon Ralston On Politics: Stirring the tax pot (In Business Las Vegas column)

2006 Governor's Race

Jon Ralston on the changing masks worn by GOP gubernatorial hopefuls (Las Vegas Sun column)

2006 Attorney General's Race

AG office is just a game of musical chairs (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

2006 Local Races

Clark County Sheriff

Metro detective still wants a change at top: Martines, a 32-year veteran, will take another shot at campaigning for sheriff (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

Agent details Malone efforts: Several officials contacted on issues affecting Galardi (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Allegations Against Clark County Recorder Frances Deane

Phone siege targets county manager: Republican activist behind attack message (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

The Automated Message

The Not-So-Great Dane strikes again (Vegas Pundit website)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Government Secrecy Veils Child Abuse Death Problem

Child abuse deaths (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Nevada's Deadly Highways

Rural areas need support (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Allegations Against State Assemblyman Scott Sibley

Ethics Commission is asked to investigate assemblyman: Henderson resident questions lawmaker's role in 2004 eviction (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Loss Of Tobacco Revenue

Tobacco money faces cuts (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Housing Shortage Looms

Old mobile home park to close soon: Some residents concerned about where they will live (Nevada Appeal* article)

Not enough mobile home parks to fill housing need (Nevada Appeal* article)

Clark County

Unemployment Down

Valley's unemployment stays low (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Prospects For Home Mortgage Defaults Rising

'Perfect storm' brewing in home defaults: Bankers, lenders remain bullish, but rate hikes may collapse house of cards (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Sahara Towers

Felon fingered as string-puller in 'Sahara Towers' venture (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Douglas County

Ignoring The Problem Of Youth Drug Abuse

Parents must be involved (Gardnerville Record-Courier* editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Legislative Committee Won't Open Secret Panel Discussion To Public

EDUCATION CONSULTANT: School funding talks closed -- Study excludes transportation, building costs (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Clark County School District

Neighbors want to rein in school: Rural lifestyle said to be threatened by new elementary (Las Vegas Sun article)

Washoe County School District

Trustees approve schedule changes for Washoe County schools (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Group urges action on waste: Yucca Mountain backers want deliveries started during construction (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Bechtel loses test site contract (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Dingell's questions (Vegas Pundit website)

Immigration Reform

Nevada's employers wary: State's growing economy needs low-cost workers, officials say (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Student protests continue: School officials say walkouts over immigration must stop (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Students rally for second day: Students say they will continue to protest proposed immigration reform (Nevada Appeal* article)

Protesting students stood up for their beliefs (Nevada Appeal* editorial)

Students protest immigration bill (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Hispanic protests in LV lack L.A. punch (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tahoe workers chime in on national immigration policies (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Tom Gorman wonders if paying an honest day's wage for an honest day's work makes him part of the 'immigration problem' (Las Vegas Sun column)

Latinos in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Hispanics are here to stay (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Federal Land Sales Proceeds

Nevada must heed Norton's warning (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

War And The US Constitution

Late Night Rambling: On Fear and Fear Itself (Desert Beacon Blog)

__________

Nevada Mining

New Report Gives Nevada First Place For Policies

News Release (Fraser Institute website)

Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2005/2006

Nevada rated No. 1 in mineral policies (Elko Free Press article)

Claim: Elko County Gold Mine Polluted Humboldt River

State to hear Big Springs appeal (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Reach For The Sky

Spring Creek rate hearing Thursday (Elko Free Press article)

Alternative Energy Sources

Banking and Finance: Sun is rising on solar energy projects (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Compulsive Gambling Problems On The Rise

Problem gambling center finds need for help dramatic (Nevada Appeal* article)

Gaming: More to problem gambling than meets the stats (In Business Las Vegas article)

Gambling And The Law

Gaming law an exclusive fraternity  (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Vanishing Nevada

Sunday fire destroys Centerville saloon (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Excavating The Comstock

Archaeologist shares the dirt on Virginia City (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The California Trail

Officials declare trail stretch a public road: Decision expected to be disputed in court (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

==========================================

Update for March 29, 2006

[6:45 PM]

_____

Nevada Politics

Nevada Democratic Party

Dems gear up to elect a new chair (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions

Education First Initiative

How buzz words subvert the public debate (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Allegations Against Clark County Recorder Frances Deane

The Sideshow Continues

He Danes to strike again (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Sales And Use Tax Haul Up 15.7 Percent Over Last Year

Taxation Revenue Statistics - January 2006 (Gov. Guinn Press Release)

Hold That Thought

Hearing on old Nevada mine delayed (Nevada AP article)

Three More Judicial Nominees Go To Governor Guinn

Three finalists picked to succeed Yerington judge (Nevada AP article)

Local Government

Lake Tahoe

Developing Stories

Upscale Martis Valley development OK'd (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ritz-Carlton plans luxury mountain lodge at Tahoe-area ski resort (Nevada AP article)

Nye County

New Manager

Interim county manager named: Nye planning director Ron Williams gets the position (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Old Problems

Growing Pains: Residents fighting business; Part II (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Update on the senior center (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Halima Charter School

School for at-risk students could close (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bureaucrats at the Gate (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Helping Out Harvey

Feds try to turn off spigot for project: Coyote Springs seeks more water (Nevada AP article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

New Report Raises Serious Questions

New NIRS Report Challenges All US Radioactive Waste Policies (NIRS Press Release)

Radioactive Wreck: The Unfolding Disasters of U.S. Irradiated Nuclear Fuel Policies (NIRS Report)

Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) Website

Feds Moving Ahead Anyway

Pro-Yucca group presses for legislative fix to move dump forward (Las Vegas Sun article)

Statement of Paul M. Golan, Acting Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, on 2007 Yucca Mountain Project budget request (OCRWM Press Release)

OCRWM 2007 Budget Request (OCRWM website)

EPA Recertifies DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (US EPA Press Release)

Yucca Mountain Site Manager To Be Replaced

National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) Awarded Nevada Test Site (Department of Energy Press Release)

Feds dump Bechtel for Nevada Test Site management contract (Nevada AP article)

From The US Congress

Lobby Reform Legislation Passes US Senate

Ensign Votes For Lobby Reform Bill (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid Statement on Lobbying Reform Legislation (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Invest USA

Ensign's Invest in the USA Continues to Pay Off (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Gibbons Announces Funding for Central Lyon County Fire Protection District (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)

New Reports From The US Census Bureau

==========================================

March 30, 2006

[10:10 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Legislative Races

Attorney may challenge assemblyman: Lawyer has filed complaint against Sibley (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

Cash request details sought: Defense spotlights Galardi payment (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Galardi bugged out of FBI sting: Ex-councilman Mack target of setup (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Alleged Pollution From Elko County Gold Mine

State panel postpones action on Big Springs (Elko Free Press article)

Law review sought in mine dispute (Nevada AP article)

Bad Timing

Four sentenced for poaching in Nevada; 1st felony in state (Nevada AP article)

Get A License

Southern Nevada landscaper imprisoned (Nevada Appeal* article)

More Judicial Nominees Go To Governor Guinn

Three names considered to replace Judge McGroarty (Las Vegas Sun article)

Get Out Of The House, Go For A Drive And Take A Look At Our Wonderful State

Conference spotlights rural tourism in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Government

Problems Getting Good Help

NONPROFIT AGENCY: Troubled EOB loses candidate -- Contender to lead group cites opposition to new leadership (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Candidate declines county capital projects position (Lahontan Valley News* article)

Systemic Dysfunction

Zoning problems threaten nonprofit that aids homeless (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

A Snag in the Nye County Judicial System (Featheriver column, Nye Blog)

Churchill County

Developing Questions

County must consider future costs of development (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)

Clark County

Not His Day

NLV police captain faces investigation: 9-1-1 caller complained about confrontation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Elko County

Northern Nevada Railway

Railroad Connection: Ely line may benefit Elko County railport (Elko Free Press article)

Looking Impecunious

City eyes airport budget shortfall (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Region

Developers, environmentalists settle Martis Valley dispute (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ritz-Carlton plans to build 172 rooms at Northstar resort (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Got Liberty?

Students protest free speech zones with silence: Demonstrators let duct tape do their talking at UNR (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Scores Improve

STATE PROFICIENCY EXAM: Seniors upgrade test scores -- District on pace to raise percentage of diploma recipients (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Go Somewhere Else

Alternative sites proposed for school: Rural neighborhood in Henderson at issue (Las Vegas Sun article)

Trying To Make A Positive Difference

School district reforms (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Washoe County School District

Troubled Halima Academy

School could be out for good at Halima Academy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Save the School (Chuck Muth and Matthew Comprix column, Battle Born News)

Not Our Fault

Failing to meet kids' basic needs (Andrew E. Kelly column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Need For Change

Not just a Pine problem (Reno Gazette-Journal* editorial)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Consumers Outraged By Rate Hike Requests

Electric customers vent their frustrations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Good Riddance

Sempra to sell interest in Nevada power project (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Roadside Readers

Utilities tapping technology: Upgrade allows meters to be read as workers drive by with computers in trucks (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Immigration Reform

Action And Reaction

Student walkout echoes in valley: Immigration debate fuels strong emotions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Protests please opponent of illegal immigration (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Immigrants find they can fight City Hall (Las Vegas Sun article)

Opinions

Ensign: Allow visas but not citizenship (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Illegal aliens: Time to face thorny issue (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)

ERIN NEFF: Next time, try an American flag (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Seeking a sane policy: Immigration measure in the Senate may restore rationality to citizenship debate (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Lobbying And Lobbyist Reform

Boy, do they ever hate term limits: If they're good for lobbyists, why do they cringe at them? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Federal Lands

Progress, nature at odds in land fight: Cities could lose 13,000 new acres (Las Vegas Sun article)

Humboldt Project advances (Elko Free Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Compulsive Gambling Disease

Problem Gambling Center gets added funding: 6 percent of the state's adult population has gambling problems (Nevada Appeal* article)

Gambling treatment requires more funding (Nevada Appeal* editorial)

Candor, And The Lack Thereof

JANE ANN MORRISON: Defamed attorney feels vindicated as gaming company's woes mount (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

Back To The Reservation

INDIAN GAMING: Panel limits tribal casinos to reservations -- Gaming law revision heads to Congress (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Two buildings in Nevada listed on Register of Historic Places (Nevada Appeal* article)

==========================================

Update for March 30, 2006

[7:55 PM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Governor's Race

Gibson on solving the energy problem (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

[Sorry, readers -- Mayor Gibson's plan isn't posted yet on his campaign website]

Wake Up and Smell the Ethics! Titus wakes up from long slumber, discovers ethics problem (Gibson 2006 campaign statement)

2006 Congressional Races

You paid for it, II (Vegas Pundit website)

The Candidates Speak

Noteworthy Quotes (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)

 The Republican Party: A Democrat's Partisan Look

A party in need of a message (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)

2006 Legislative Races

Sibley challenged (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

Former Clark County commissioner testifies to taking bribes (Nevada AP article)

A Taste of G-Sting: Phone tapes played in court tell a story of duplicitous personalities (Richard Abowitz article, Las Vegas Weekly)

G-sting report may tar the innocent (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Nevada Government

From The Nevada Supreme Court

Two Year Statute Of Limitations For Fax Spamming Cases

Employee-Management Relations Board Has No Power To Issue Injunctions

Clarification Of Common Law Grounds For Reviewing Arbitrators' Decisions

Statement Made The Following Day Can Be An Excited Utterance Hearsay Exception

Warrantless Search OK Where One Resident Consents And The Other Fails To Object

Pre-Judgment Attorneys' Fees And Costs Properly Excluded In Calculations Of Offer Of Judgment

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Millennium Scholarship woes (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Public Schools

Making Excuses

Leaving No Excuses Behind (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)

Clark County School District

Superintendent Walt Rulffe's Letter On How He Intends To Run The District

No mo guff from Mo (Vegas Pundit website)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Helping Out Harvey

Hearing opens on water plan for Nevada lobbyist-developer (Nevada AP article)

_________

Nevada Health Matters

Prescription Drugs

One patient at a time: Partnership hopes to help Nevadans get free or discounted prescription drugs (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

Native Nevadans

Ancestral Lands

United States on trial: Shoshone tribes hauled the United States before a United Nations panel and won (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

Berkley Raises Red Flag Over Plan To Detonate 700 Ton Bomb At Nevada Test Site: Bush Admin. Official Says Expect a Mushroom Cloud Over Las Vegas (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

Plans for massive blast in Nevada desert draw fire (Nevada AP article)

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Key senator pushes Bush administration on Yucca Mountain bill (Nevada AP article)

You know ... for the kids (Peggy Maze Johnson column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Immigration Reform

Reid Floor Statement On Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Education

Ensign: Nevada's Education Funds Increase More Than Other States (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Gibbons Supports Increased Access to Higher Education (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)

Porter Loan Forgiveness Amendment Included in Higher Education Bill (Rep. Porter Press Release)

Emergency Management

Ensign, Vitter Bill Will Allow Retired Officers To Assist During Disasters (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Patriot Act

For the record (Bob Tregilus column, Reno News & Review)

New Federal Marshal

President nominates new U.S. marshal for Nevada (Nevada AP article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Problem Gambling

 The living dead (Chip Moser column, Las Vegas CityLife)

==========================================

March 31, 2006

[11:20 AM]

_____

Nevada Politics

2006 Legislative Races

Attorney announces candidacy for state Senate District 8 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

__________

Corruption?  In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Trial

CORRUPTION TRIAL: Kenny sketches bribery -- Ex-official says others were on take (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Kenny details cash payments from developer (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Galardi Provides More Names Of Public Officials On His Pay-off Payroll

JOHN L. SMITH: While cutting a deal, Galardi says good and bad things about judges (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada State Legislature

Get out and stay out! Public pays consultants, but can't see them work (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)

Nevada's Deadly Highways

Elko ambulance director recalls attempt to start dedicated fund (Elko Free Press article)

Local Government

Clark County

Pulte Homes plans 2,014-acre Mesquite community (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Elko County

Developing Costs Mounting

Elko Sanitation rates to increase in April (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

Developing Costs Mounting Here Too

Rate hikes proposed for water, sewer (Nevada Appeal* article)

Water rates just another cost of rapid growth (Nevada Appeal* editorial)

Community Anti-Meth Meetings

Yerington woman shares her fight with drugs at meth forum: Community forums aim to raise awareness (Nevada Appeal* article)

Washoe County

Jurist Hints Key Provision In Court Order Omitted From Local Government Proposals

Hardesty to keep an eye on hearings about growth plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Spokeswoman For Meddling Group Burning Bridges Right And Left

Jon Ralston deciphers the agenda of the newly formed Council for a Better Nevada spin-off group: What do they C.A.R.E. about? (Las Vegas Sun column)

Rural Lifestyles And Rural Schools

Sharing burdens of growth: One neighborhood's opposition to a proposed elementary school highlights a valley-wide issue of how the needs of many may override the desires of a few (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

Take Another One For The Team: The Return Of Mushroom Clouds

'MUSHROOM CLOUD OVER LAS VEGAS': Comment causes a chain reaction -- Official blasted for remarks about 700-ton explosion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Wouldn't It Be Nice

Reid sees more cuts for Yucca Mountain: Savings might help fund geothermal research (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Berkley calls on DOE to fire Yucca Mountain cartoon man (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

Immigration Reform

Valley immigration views polled: 36 percent see influx of people as 'big' problem (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)

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Nevada's Past

The Mysterious Mr. Hughes

Hughes wasn't a wacko, or was he? Former state Gaming Control Board chairman recalls secret mission to see billionaire in London (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County Pioneer Family

Meet the 'Oldest Family Living Continuously in Lyon County' (Nevada Appeal* column)

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